Buying guide
Power & Cold at Camp
Updated How we research
Keep devices charged and food cold off-grid. The page is split into five sections (Portable power stations; Solar panels to recharge; 12V fridges that run on battery; Hard coolers for ice backup; Soft coolers for day trips), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.8 out of 10, across $$, $$$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station 1152Wh 1800W. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:Coleman Xtreme Series Portable Cooler 70 Quart. Value score of 10/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Solid build:YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Hard Cooler. Build and materials score of 10/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station 2042Wh. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Portable power stations
- BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station 1152Wh 1800WOur score8.8/10
- Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station 2042WhOur score8.6/10
- BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station 288Wh 600W LFP Solar Generator | Power Lifting 1500W, 10ms UPS, 45 Min 0-80% Fast Charging, Emergency Backup Power for Blackout, Camping, Outage and Road TripOur score7.6/10
- Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station 293WhOur score7.2/10
Solar panels to recharge
- Renogy 200W Portable Solar Panel Kit with Charge ControllerOur score8.4/10
- Jackery SolarSaga 200W Portable Bifacial Solar PanelOur score8.2/10
- Renogy 200W Portable Foldable Solar Panel IP65Our score8.0/10
- Jackery SolarSaga 100X Portable Solar Panel 100W FoldableOur score7.6/10
12V fridges that run on battery
- ICECO VL45 Portable Refrigerator 45L Compressor CoverOur score8.4/10
- Alpicool LGCF45 Portable Refrigerator 42 Quart 12VOur score7.8/10
- BougeRV 12V Refrigerator 30 Quart Portable FreezerOur score7.8/10
- Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator 16 Quart 12V FreezerOur score7.2/10
Hard coolers for ice backup
- YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Hard CoolerOur score8.4/10
- YETI Tundra 45 Hard CoolerOur score8.4/10
- Coleman Xtreme Series Portable Cooler 70 QuartOur score7.8/10
- YETI Roadie 24 Hard CoolerOur score7.6/10
Soft coolers for day trips
- RTIC 20 Can Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler ProOur score8.2/10
- RTIC Soft Pack 20 Soft CoolerOur score8.0/10
- YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft CoolerOur score7.6/10
- Coleman Chiller Insulated Soft Cooler 30 CanOur score7.0/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1BLUETTI AC180 delivers 1152Wh and 1800W, a strong mid-size power station for campers running fridges and small cooking appliances.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 1800W output handles coffee makers, kettles and hair dryers
- + 1152Wh gives a solid multi-day buffer for a fridge and lights
- + Mid-size body is still manageable for one person to carry
- - Heavier than compact stations, so it is not a grab-and-go unit
- - Solar panels are not included, so off-grid recharging costs extra
#2Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 packs 2042Wh, a large power station for extended car camping with fridges, cooking appliances and laptops.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 2042Wh capacity can run a camp fridge for days between charges
- + High output suits kettles, induction cookers and power tools
- + Large capacity supports a small group camp from a single unit
- - Heavy unit is hard to move alone in and out of the vehicle
- - Expensive investment for campers who only charge phones and lights
#3Renogy's 200W portable solar panel kit includes a charge controller, suiting campers charging a car or dual battery directly.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Included charge controller lets you charge car-style batteries directly
- + 200W output is strong enough to keep a fridge battery topped up
- + Renogy is a well-known solar brand among van and car campers
- - Suitcase style panel is heavier than fabric folding panels
- - Controller setup takes a little wiring knowledge to use safely
#4ICECO VL45 is a 45L portable compressor refrigerator sold with a protective cover, suiting overlanders who want a durable fridge setup.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 45L capacity carries food and drinks for multi-day trips
- + Protective cover adds insulation and shields the case from scratches
- + Compressor cooling works well even in hot weather
- - Heavy when loaded, so it may need a slide or tie-down system
- - Costs more than budget fridges of a similar capacity
#5YETI Roadie 48 is a wheeled hard cooler that keeps ice for days, suiting car campers who haul food from car to camp.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 10/10 · Value 6/10
- + Wheels and handle make a heavy loaded cooler easy to move
- + YETI rotomolded style build is extremely tough and well insulated
- + Upright shape fits tall bottles and fits well in SUV cargo areas
- - Very expensive compared with standard wheeled coolers
- - Heavy even when empty, so lifting it into a truck takes effort
#6YETI Tundra 45 is a premium rotomolded hard cooler with long ice retention, a classic pick for serious car campers.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 10/10 · Value 6/10
- + Thick insulation keeps ice for multiple days in warm weather
- + Rugged build can double as a camp seat or step
- + Bear-resistant style latches and strong hinges suit backcountry use
- - Premium price is several times higher than basic coolers
- - Heavy and thick-walled, so interior space is smaller than outside size suggests
#7The Jackery SolarSaga 200W bifacial portable panel captures light on both sides for faster recharging of larger power stations.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10
- + Bifacial cells collect reflected light from the ground for extra output
- + 200W rating refills mid-size stations noticeably faster than smaller panels
- + Folding design packs down for transport between trips
- - Premium price is steep compared with single-sided panels
- - Large unfolded size needs open ground and repositioning as the sun moves
#8RTIC's 20 can Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler Pro upgrades the shell for campers who toss soft coolers into truck beds and boats.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Ultra-tough shell resists punctures and abrasion better than basic bags
- + 20 can capacity covers drinks for an afternoon with friends
- + Pro version adds durability without jumping to YETI pricing
- - Tougher materials make it heavier than simple soft coolers
- - Not large enough for multi-day food storage
#9The Renogy 200W portable foldable solar panel is IP65 rated, a rugged option for campers charging power stations in changing weather.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + IP65 rating protects against dust and water splashes at camp
- + 200W output recharges mid-size power stations in a sunny day
- + Foldable design stores flat in a trunk or under a bed platform
- - No charge controller listed, so direct battery charging needs extra parts
- - Connector compatibility varies by power station, so check cables
#10RTIC Soft Pack 20 is a mid-size soft cooler with thick insulation, a value alternative to premium soft coolers for day trips.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Thick insulation holds ice longer than basic lunch coolers
- + 20 size carries drinks and snacks for a small group
- + Much cheaper than YETI soft coolers with a similar concept
- - Stiff zipper can take effort to open and close
- - Soft walls do not protect crushable food as well as hard coolers
#11Alpicool LGCF45 is a 42 quart 12V portable refrigerator, a larger budget fridge for families or longer car camping trips.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 42 quart capacity holds several days of food for a couple or family
- + 12V operation keeps food cold without ice while you drive
- + Budget price for a fridge in this larger size class
- - Larger body takes up a big chunk of cargo space in smaller SUVs
- - Less proven long-term reliability than Dometic or ICECO units
#12The BougeRV 30 quart 12V refrigerator is a mid-size portable freezer for couples wanting cold storage without constant ice runs.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 30 quart size balances food capacity with a manageable footprint
- + Can run as a freezer for meat or ice packs on longer trips
- + 12V plug connects to a car socket or portable power station
- - Mid-size unit may still be tight for large families
- - Lesser-known brand, so parts and service are harder to find
#13The Coleman Xtreme Series 70 quart portable cooler is a big, budget hard cooler for families and groups on weekend trips.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 10/10
- + 70 quart capacity holds food and drinks for a big group
- + Xtreme insulation keeps ice longer than basic picnic coolers
- + Very low price for a cooler this size, so it works as a spare drinks cooler
- - Lighter plastic build is less durable than rotomolded coolers
- - Large footprint takes up a lot of trunk space when full
#14BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 is a 288Wh LFP power station with 600W continuous output, 1500W Power Lifting mode and a 10ms UPS switch. Compact 9.4 lb pick for small loads.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10
- + 600W continuous AC output, with a 1500W Power Lifting mode for some heavier devices, per the listing
- + Only 9.4 lbs with 288Wh, a similar size to the Jackery model it replaces
- + Charges from the wall in 45 minutes to 80%, plus solar and car charging modes
- - Priced noticeably above other 288Wh stations, so this is a step up in cost
- - 288Wh runs small gear only and will not power a fridge for long
#15Jackery SolarSaga 100X is a 100W foldable portable solar panel built to recharge Jackery power stations at camp.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Folds into a carry case that fits behind a car seat
- + 100W output is a good match for small and mid-size Jackery stations
- + Plug-and-play pairing with Jackery units keeps setup simple
- - Output drops in cloud or shade, so realistic charging is slower
- - Best matched to Jackery stations; other brands may need adapters
#16The YETI Roadie 24 is a compact hard cooler for couples and day trips, keeping drinks and lunch cold in tight spaces.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 6/10
- + Compact size fits on a back seat or behind the driver
- + Tall interior fits wine bottles and taller drinks upright
- + YETI insulation keeps ice through a long hot day
- - Small capacity is not enough for multi-day food storage
- - High price for a small cooler compared with soft options
#17YETI Hopper Flip 12 is a premium soft cooler for day trips and side outings from camp, carrying drinks and lunch for one or two.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 6/10
- + Leakproof style zipper and tough shell handle rough use
- + Compact 12 size is easy to carry by the shoulder strap
- + Keeps ice for a full day, perfect for hikes and beach trips
- - Small capacity limits it to lunch and a few drinks
- - Very expensive for a small soft cooler compared with RTIC or Coleman bags
#18Jackery Explorer 300 is a 293Wh portable power station for weekend car campers charging phones, lights and small fans.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 293Wh capacity covers phones, cameras and LED lights for a weekend
- + Light enough to carry from the car to the picnic table with one hand
- + Can recharge from a car socket while you drive between sites
- - Too small to run a camp fridge for long or any high-draw appliance
- - Older model charges slower than the newer Explorer 300 Plus
#19The Alpicool C15 is a 16 quart 12V portable fridge freezer, a small budget cooler replacement for solo campers and short trips.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 16 quart size fits drinks and a day or two of food for one or two people
- + Runs on 12V car power, so no more buying ice and draining melt water
- + Compact shape tucks behind a seat or on a passenger floor
- - Small capacity fills quickly on longer or family camping trips
- - Budget build is less rugged than premium brands on rough roads
#20The Coleman Chiller 30 can insulated soft cooler is an inexpensive bag for picnics, drinks and short outings near camp.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 30 can capacity handles drinks for a group at a picnic
- + Very low price makes it an easy second cooler for drinks
- + Soft sides fold down smaller than a hard cooler when empty
- - Basic insulation keeps ice for hours, not days
- - Lighter fabric can tear if dragged over rough ground
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Car Camp Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.